FIFA has announced that during this year’s Women’s World Cup, it will distribute the money to players who can receive up to $405,000 each for their participation.
Matildas players previously earned only $20,000 a year and will receive a significant financial windfall at the FIFA World Cup.
Each team member is guaranteed a minimum payment of $45,000 for entering the tournament, with the potential to earn an astonishing $402,000 each if they emerge victorious on home soil.
In addition, FIFA will increase funding for member associations, which can be used to cover World Cup-related expenses and, if any money is left over, used for domestic development.
Countries whose teams reach the group stage will receive $1.6 million, with the amount increasing significantly to $4.3 million for eventual winners.
This financial boost will be especially meaningful for new entrants, including Haiti, Panama, the Philippines and Zambia, who will greatly appreciate FIFA’s generous support.
Matildas players could earn more than $400,000 each if Australia win World Cup on home soil
Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20
Even countries with well-funded women’s soccer programs, like many in Europe and reigning champions the United States, will get a big boost from this windfall.
Women will compete for a total of $152 million in FIFA prize money, compared to the $30 million shared among the 24 teams in the 2019 edition.
While this represents significant progress, it falls short of the $440 million FIFA has paid out for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
The global players’ union FIFPro has hailed FIFA’s decision as a remarkable achievement resulting from the collective action of more than 150 national team players.
After months of constructive negotiations with FIFA, the move is a testament to the players’ commitment to professionalizing the Women’s World Cup and advocating for equal prize money.
In a letter sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino last year, the players stressed that unequal prize money perpetuates the idea that women’s football is a financial burden rather than a contribution to the sport.
While players like Sam Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, make a lot of money, many Matildas players struggle to make ends meet on just $20,000 a year
There are high hopes for the 10th-ranked Matildas at the World Cup, but they will have to get past the power of the United States to dominate in first place
They called for recognition that their efforts and achievements should be rewarded equally, highlighting the impact of prize money on countries’ unequal prioritization of support between men’s and women’s national teams.
“It also perpetuates the attitude that women’s football is a ‘cost’ rather than a contribution to football in some parts of the world,” the letter continued.
“This is because the same effort and performance don’t yield the same reward. We want our achievements to matter, to be important not only to us, but to the entire football family in our countries and around the world.”
Heading into the Women’s World Cup as the top-ranked team, the United States continues to dominate, with no changes to the top five of the latest FIFA rankings. The Australian Matildas is tenth in the 77-country competition.
The US has maintained its top spot since June 2017, leading the pack ahead of Germany, Sweden, European champions England and France.
Spain and Brazil traded positions, with Spain tying their highest ever position and Brazil taking a remarkable victory over Germany.
The Netherlands, Canada (Australia’s Group B rivals) and Australia’s co-host New Zealand round out the top 10 and 26 respectively.